This ancient Chinese flavor combination, white pepper and vinegar, blends to make a wonderful warming soup and ready in 15 minutes. The white pepper creates a warming sensation and the vinegar makes the sour flavor. Enjoy this soup for a peaceful lunch or a calming dinner in the early evening.

More than 150 million Americans use glasses or contacts to aid vision and common eye diseases of people over the age of 40 are macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma according to this article from the Detroit Free Press. However, it may be possible to maintain good eye health through a well balanced diet which includes plenty of vegetables including dark leafy greens (and not just carrots). This article contends that eye health is related to the amount of vitamins C, E, and zinc, as well as beta-carotene or lutein and it's better to get these nutrients through whole foods rather than supplements. This article also discusses correlations between eye health and diet and connections which are still unclear. We often think of a healthy diet as helping to prevent major chronic health problems but it can also support healthy bio-systems throughout the entire body.

It was nice to read the news that Subway was test marketing three new vegan sandwiches in its restaurants in the D.C. and Virginia area. I hope it rolls out the new menu items nationally. I avoid fast food completely as part of my long term health strategy. However, for many consumers, fast food is a regular part of the weekly eating experience. With more healthy choices on the menu at Subway, it offers its customers the option to eat better when visiting its sandwich shops. Almost every Subway I've seen is packed during the lunch hour, sometimes with lines forming outside the door. With so much demand for its sandwiches, vegan options will receive a lot of visibility and maybe some new customers. If consumers like the products then it may influence menu options at other fast food chains as well which is good news! I don't have any statistics on what percentage of meat production is absorbed by fast food restaurants; if the percentage is large and if vegan options grow in popularity at fast food chains, it could eventually reduce demand for animal agriculture. It will be interesting to watch how Subway's move impacts the industry and consumer eating habits in the future.

A small company in Singapore, a small island nation in Southeast Asia between Malaysia and Indonesia, is operating what could be the world's first vegan fast food burger chain. It's called Vegan Burg (www.VeganBurg.com). Serving a variety of vegan burgers including 'Cracked Pepper Mayo', 'Hawaiian Pineapple', and 'Smoky BBQ', it now has four locations around the city and plans to open more. It's a wonderful business idea and aims to make fast food healthy. Although I'm not a huge fan of fast food of any variety, it is a nutritious option for people on the go or who have short lunch hours. The inspiration for the business comes from this message on the website:"We used to think that plant based diet is impossible. Compelled by our love and respect for planet earth, as well as a desire for a healthier lifestyle, we decided to do something radical. Since making that step, we have never turned back." - Vegan Burg It's great to see the vegan trend impacting fast food restaurants and hope their business continues to be a great success, especially since it may be the first of its kind!

Sodium reduction in our diets is a large theme of this blog. Whether you are vegan or not, reducing sodium intake is hard to do. Sodium is prevalent is almost all processed foods, unless they indicate that there is 'no salt added' (such as in canned beans, vegetables, or tomato products). The maximum daily amount of sodium recommended by the USDA is 2,300 mg which is about a teaspoon of salt. Most people consume much more than that. Products which contribute to sodium build up are bread, cheese, condiments, salad dressing, and many other processed foods. Diets high in sodium can lead to elevated blood pressure levels which can cause health complications over time. This video from the Today Show does a good job of comparing fast food meals based on sodium levels with some interesting and useful results which can be applied to anyone's diet. (Please note, there is a 30 second commercial at the beginning of this clip.)

If you thought you'd never see a vegan version of buuz, huushur, bantaan or tsoivan, you might want to reconsider. These popular meat dishes in Mongolia are now available in meatless versions at new vegan restaurants popping up everywhere in Ulaanbaator (UB), the capital city. According to this article the vegan and vegetarian trend is catching on strongly now in this country located between China and Russia, with 20 vegan and vegetarian restaurants operating in UB. Many use faux meats to recreate the popular Mongol dishes. Fueled in part by high meat costs, increased access to fresh vegetables, and health concerns over the excessive meat consumption, people are putting more veggies on their plate and making them the main course. Many of the veggies come from China but new agriculture development in Mongolia should eventually meet the demands for locally grown produce. It's exciting to see and it would be nice to try out the food some day!

Strawberries are a favorite berry of mine. They are easy to eat, colorful, and versatile. I put them in smoothies, make strawberry crisps, eat them plain, or make fruit salads with them. They also make a nice fruit topping for spinach or cabbage salads. Like other berries, they contain many beneficial nutritional properties. They contain very high levels of antioxidants, vitamin C levels comparable to oranges, and have anti-inflammatory and anti-pain agents. This article details the value of eating strawberries regularly.